Close X
Sunday, September 22, 2024
ADVT 
Hollywood

Ridley Scott's 'The Martian' Blasted For 'White-Washing' Indian-American Character

Darpan News Desk IANS, 10 Oct, 2015 12:29 PM
  • Ridley Scott's 'The Martian' Blasted For 'White-Washing' Indian-American Character
An Asian-American advocacy group has criticised Hollywood blockbuster "The Martian" for changing the race of Indian and Korean characters.
 
British director Ridley Scott's "The Martian" is an adaptation of Andy Weir's novel by the same name.
 
"In the novel by Andy Weir, NASA's Director of Mars Operations is Dr. Venkat Kapoor, a decidedly Asian Indian character who identifies religiously as being 'a Hindu'," Media Action Network for Asian-Americans (MANAA) said in a release.
 
"In Scott's film, his name is changed to Vincent Kapoor, and he is played by British black actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, who says his father was "a Hindu" but that his mother was "Baptist", implying his father was Indian but his mother was Black," the statement added.
 
MANAA regularly monitors how the mass media portrays and covers people of Asian/Pacific Islander descent.
 
 
The group also noted that the role of Mindy Park, a Korean-American character, was played by Caucasian Mackenzie Davis.
 
In the movie, both play crucial roles in NASA's attempt to rescue astronaut Mark Watney played by Matt Damon who has been left on Mars by his crew, who thought he died in a sand storm.
 
"This was a great opportunity to give meaty roles to talented Asian American actors - and boost their careers - which would have enabled our community to become a greater part of the rescue team. This feel-good movie, which has attracted Oscar buzz should not get any awards for casting," the statement read.
 
Scott's previous film "Exodus: Gods and Kings" was also criticised for casting Caucasian actors in Egyptian roles.
 
Earlier this year, the advocacy group had also condemned American director Cameron Crowe's "Aloha" for awarding the role of an Asian character to American actor Emma Stone.
 
 
MANAA, the all-volunteer, non-profit group was formed in April 1992 to address the negative stereotypes long perpetuated by the media that affects all Asian-Americans.

MORE Hollywood ARTICLES

John Stamos Feels Healthy After Rehab

John Stamos Feels Healthy After Rehab
Actor John Stamos feels "healthy" and "grateful" after leaving rehab, where he spent a month seeking treatment after being arrested in Beverly Hills for DUI ( Driving Under the Influence).

John Stamos Feels Healthy After Rehab

Kylie Jenner Shocks Fans With More Swollen Lips

Kylie Jenner Shocks Fans With More Swollen Lips
Reality TV star Kylie Jenner, who earlier admitted of having temporary lip fillers to plump up her lips, has apparently gone too far as they look more swollen than before in new videos.

Kylie Jenner Shocks Fans With More Swollen Lips

I Want My 20-year-old Body: Eva Longoria

I Want My 20-year-old Body: Eva Longoria
Let me tell you, I love my forties - I want my twenty-year-old body - but I love my forties When you get older you appreciate every moment.

I Want My 20-year-old Body: Eva Longoria

I'm Less Inclined Towards Trends, Feels Sarah Jessica Parker

Actress Sarah Jessica Parker says she's become less influenced by "trends" as she's got older, and prefers to buy timeless staple items for her wardrobe to wear over and over again.

I'm Less Inclined Towards Trends, Feels Sarah Jessica Parker

'Jurassic World' Sequel Set For 2018

'Jurassic World' Sequel Set For 2018
Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard will return to star in the sequel of “Jurassic World”, which is lined up to release on June 22, 2018, Universal Studios has announced.

'Jurassic World' Sequel Set For 2018

Angelina Jolie To Direct 'Cambodia' Movie

Actress-director Angelina Jolie is teaming with online streaming service Netflix to direct the film “First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers”.

Angelina Jolie To Direct 'Cambodia' Movie